Des Plaines debates 'acting' mayor terms

Some alderman say consistency is needed

January 29, 2013|By Jonathan Bullington, Tribune reporter

With the term of current Des Plaines Acting Mayor Michael Charewicz expected to end at the Feb. 4 City Council meeting, the topic of how long an acting mayor should serve yielded sharp debate among some aldermen.

"I urge you all to reject the 'mayor of the month club,' which we're acting with now," said Ald. Dan Wilson, 7th, at last week's City Council meeting.

Wilson's comments came as aldermen approved a city code amendment allowing the council to set the term for an acting mayor. City attorney Peter Friedman said in a memo that the city's home rule authority has always allowed aldermen that power, but "it is best practice to be explicit about it" after the council voted earlier this month to seat Charewicz as acting mayor while presiding over local election board hearings on petition challenges.

Those hearings concluded this week.

Wilson argued that the role of mayor requires a consistent knowledge of current issues facing the city, and changing mayors even in the middle of a shortened term does not serve the city's interests.

"I have a hard time connecting changing mayors every month with dignity," he said.

Wilson found support from fellow Ald. Matthew Bogusz, 3rd, who is running for mayor in the April election.

"Leadership takes consistency," Bogusz said. "We need to project an image to our neighbors and residents that is strong, consistent and stable. Anything short of a permanent mayor in the interim doesn't serve business, taxpayers and this council and staff well."

But other aldermen, including Charewicz, called the code amendment a "housekeeping" matter that does not preclude the city from a consistent acting mayor.

"This gives us the option to not necessarily stick with one person," Charewicz said. "It doesn't mean we have to change time and time again. There can be consistency."

In April, residents will choose among Bogusz, current 6th Ward Ald. Mark Walsten and former Mayor Anthony Arredia to be the city's next mayor.

Former Mayor Martin Moylan officially resigned on New Year's Eve to take on his next role as state representative in the 55th District.